# Manager vs. AI: Survival Handbook for Those Who Don't Want to End up on the Margins of History

> "And we as str*ckers stood by"-the film is satire, but the message is real. 39% of current skills will be obsolete by 2030. 40% of employers will reduce the workforce where AI can automate. But here is the paradox: the proportion of middle managers has grown from 9.2% (1983) to 13% (2022). Those who remain passive are overwhelmed. Those who ironize, translate algorithms into human language and manage the "gray areas" become irreplaceable.

Source: https://www.electe.net/post/manager-vs-ai-manuale-di-sopravvivenza-per-chi-non-vuole-finire-ai-margini-della-storia

Site guide: https://www.electe.net/llms.txt

‍**Imagine being the protagonist of a bittersweet comedy like Pif's "E noi come str\*nzi rimanemmo a guardare":** your company introduces AI, colleagues disappear one after another, and you… stay there, staring at the screen, while an [algorithm](/oltre-lalgoritmo-come-i-nostri-modelli-di-intelligenza-artificiale-vengono-addestrati-e-perfezionati) suggests you "optimize your existence" (maybe with a push notification). But you don't want to be a "jerk who stands by and watches", right? Here's how to turn your story into a successful comedy, not a corporate tragedy.

**Here's the best part:** this guide is inherently self-deprecating. We're using human intelligence to write a guide on how to survive artificial intelligence, just like the film's protagonist who creates the algorithm that replaces him. It's meta-comic, isn't it? But it's precisely this awareness that will save us.

## 1. Stop Watching: Act Before the Algorithm Decides for You.

In the film, protagonist Arturo is a victim of the algorithm he himself designed (!) to determine the usefulness of employees in his company-a bitter irony that mirrors the reality of many professionals who introduce technologies that then replace them. In corporate reality, those who wait for "someone to decide" risk being cut without even realizing it.

**Tip:** Anticipate changes, propose the adoption of AI tools yourself, become the "pioneer" instead of the designated victim.

### The Reality of Numbers

Nearly 39 percent of current skills will be obsolete or revised between 2025 and 2030, according to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025. Workers have reached a "silicon ceiling," with only half of them regularly using artificial intelligence tools.

**Practical strategy:** Don't wait for the company to organize courses. Like Arturo in the film, you could be the very architect of the technology that later replaces you - it's better to anticipate and control the transformation process than to be subjected to it.

## 2. Mock AI (but Use it Best of All).

In the film, satire arises from the contrast between the promise of efficiency and the grotesque reality of a life managed by apps and algorithms.

**Tip:** Be the first to joke about AI's "absurd decisions", but behind the scenes learn to use it better than anyone else. Organize "AI roasts" at the company: whoever finds the funniest algorithm error wins a coffee. This way you break down fear and show human leadership.

### The [Paradox](/il-paradosso-della-trasparenza) of Fear

Over the course of 2024, workers' confidence in GenAI grew. So has their fear of losing their jobs. Employees in organizations going through a complete AI-driven redesign are more concerned about job security (46 percent) than those in less advanced companies (34 percent).

**Practical strategy:** Become AI's "emotional translator". Those who know how to defuse tension with intelligence are remembered, not replaced.

## 3. Transform into the "Algorithm Translator" (The New Superpower)

In the film, those who do not understand the language of platforms are left out.

**Tip:** Become the "translator" between AI and humans: explain to colleagues what the algorithm actually does, debunk myths, help those who feel lost. In a world of "jerks who just watch", you become the guide everyone looks for.

### The Key Competence

43% of standard managerial activities are estimated to be impacted by GenAI. About 19% of these jobs are enhanced, and 24% are automated by GenAI. But without clear guidance,  [managers](/manager-3-0-come-prosperare-nellera-dellia) struggle to allocate freed-up time to higher-value activities such as strategic planning, talent development, and cross-functional collaboration.

**Practical strategy:** Position yourself as the bridge between technology and team. Managers bring a nuanced understanding of team dynamics, employee engagement, and organizational culture that AI cannot replicate.

**Universal application:** This guide is not aimed only at managers, but at all professionals facing digital transformation: from consultants to project managers, from analysts to team leaders, from those working in innovative startups to those operating in large traditional corporations.

## 4. Be the First to Cut (But with Irony)

In the film, passivity is punished. In reality, those who defend silos are the first to jump.

**Tip:** Propose the simplifications yourself, but do it with self-deprecating humor: "Better that I say it, before the bot does!" Like the protagonist who creates the algorithm that fires him, it's better to be an active protagonist of change than a passive victim.

### The Real Threat

Forty percent of employers expect to reduce their workforce where AI can automate tasks. Technology, overall, is projected to be the most disruptive force in the labor market, with trends in AI and information processing technologies expected to create 11 million jobs while simultaneously displacing 9 million.

**Practical strategy:** Rather than completely eliminating managers, AI shifts the focus from administrative tasks to higher-value activities. Anticipate this transition.

## 5. Create Your Own "Corporate Sitcom"

In the film, the protagonist's life becomes a tragicomedy.

**Tip:** Tell the story of digital transformation as a series of episodes: write short internal Newsletters, memes, cartoons about "misadventures with AI". Those who know how to tell reality with irony are remembered, not replaced.

### The Power of Narration

Eighty percent of C-suite executives believe AI will initiate a cultural shift toward greater innovation. It is important to build a test-and-learn environment to drive innovation and growth. Encourage teams to experiment with AI, share how these tools are useful, and celebrate the successes-and acknowledge the failures-that come with any technological advancement.

## 6. Occupy the Gray Zones (Where AI is Lost).

In the movie, apps handle everything--except the really human situations.

**Tip:** Take charge of ambiguous projects, conflicts, team crises: these are the "bugs" that AI can't solve. Become the company's "human debugger".

### The Hidden Opportunities

The contribution of managers to talent development has become more vital than before. As AI redefines job roles and required skills, managers must guide their teams through these transitions, identifying skills gaps and facilitating upskilling and reskilling initiatives.

**Practical strategy:** Managers will need to oversee 1,000 direct reports. Some are people working in adjacent offices or scattered around the globe, while the rest are artificial intelligence agents that are smart, constantly evolving, and work 24/7.

## 7. Don't Just Stand by: Become the Ambassador of Change.

In the film, those who stand by and watch are overwhelmed.

**Tip:** Position yourself as an "AI ambassador", organize events, hackathons, discussion sessions. Those who guide the culture don't get cut, they get promoted.

### The Role of the Change Agent

Managers are at the heart of successful AI-driven transformations, playing a critical role in bridging the gap between leadership vision and real-world execution. Many organizations underestimate the importance of managers when implementing AI initiatives.

## 8. If You Have to Be Replaced, You Choose the Finale

In the film, the protagonist suffers the system.

**Tip:** If you really need to change roles, do it as the protagonist: choose your own "exit strategy", perhaps toward a hybrid role, a startup, or consulting. Better to be the hero of your own story than someone else's extra.

### The New Roles

The top ten roles under consideration include AI Trainer (32%), AI Data Specialist (32%), AI Security Specialist (31%), AI Agent Specialist (30%), AI ROI Analyst (29%), AI Media & Content Manager (29%), AI Finance Strategist (28%), AI Customer Success Lead (28%), AI Business Process Consultant (28%).

## 9. Develop the Skills that AI Does Not Have (and Will Not Have)

The most recent research confirms which areas where humans remain irreplaceable:

**Emotional Intelligence and Leadership:** The importance of soft skills such as leadership, empathy, and communication becomes increasingly pronounced. Their ability to mentor junior staff and bridge the gap between operations and senior leadership remains invaluable.

**Managing Ambiguity:** Managers must be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty, as the business landscape continues to evolve rapidly.

**Practical strategy:** Invest in becoming an expert in change management, conflict facilitation, and people development.

## 10. Master the Art of Human-AI Collaboration.

The challenge of AI in the workplace is not a technology challenge. It is a business challenge that requires leaders to align teams, address AI headwinds, and reorganize their companies for change.

**Practical strategy:** It's been less than three years since OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, but the technology has already begun to transform work. Tasks that once consumed much of many employees' days can now be done faster—and in some cases automatically.

Learn how to orchestrate hybrid teams where humans and AI work together. Leaders will need the skills to navigate this transformative era and must master the art of leading teams where AI agents and people collaborate.

## 11. Situational Leadership in the AI Era.

The situational leadership framework states that effective leadership depends on the context and maturity of followers. In a world where only 13 percent of employees see AI agents deeply integrated into their daily workflows, the manager must continually adapt his or her style.

**Practical strategy:** For managers, the need for situational leadership is truly crucial given the high volatility in their executive responsibilities and the complexity of internal challenges, which may at times be greater than challenges related to products/services/customers.

## Epilogue: "What about us as str\*ckers...?" No, you don't.

The film is a grotesque satire that should not be taken as an accurate representation of technology, but rather as a critique of modern society in which we risk delegating too much control to algorithms. Above all, it represents a warning about what happens when we remain passive.

The real moral of the film (and of reality): those who stand by and watch are overwhelmed. But those who ironize, act, translate, narrate, and lead...remain protagonists, even in the age of algorithms.

Although predictions about the end of middle management are not new, the proportion of middle managers has actually grown, representing 13 percent of the U.S. workforce in 2022, up from 9.2 percent in 1983. The key is to evolve, not disappear.

## Sources and Insights

**Research and Data:**

- [McKinsey AI in the Workplace Report 2025](https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/superagency-in-the-workplace-empowering-people-to-unlock-ais-full-potential-at-work) - Study on how AI is transforming the workplace in 2025
- [World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2025](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/05/see-why-edtech-needs-agentic-ai-for-workforce-transformation/) - Analysis of the demographic shifts and technology adoption disrupting existing skills and jobs
- [BCG AI at Work 2025 Survey](https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/ai-at-work-momentum-builds-but-gaps-remain) - Global AI at Work survey of 1,400+ C-suite executives

**Specific Studies on Middle Management:**

- [Harvard Business Review - Future of Middle Management](https://hbr.org/2025/04/whats-the-future-of-middle-management) - Analysis of the outlook for middle management in the AI era
- [BearingPoint Study - Middle Managers as Catalysts](https://www.bearingpoint.com/en/about-us/news-and-media/press-releases/middle-managers-are-the-key-to-ai-driven-transformation/) - Study of over 300 managers in Europe and the US
- [Microsoft Work Trend Index 2025](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/2025-the-year-the-frontier-firm-is-born) - Survey of 31,000 knowledge workers across 31 markets

**Film Analysis:**

- [E noi come str\*nzi rimanemmo a guardare - Wikipedia](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_noi_come_stronzi_rimanemmo_a_guardare) - 2021 Italian film directed by Pif, a satirical comedy with science-fiction elements
- [Critical Analysis of the Film](https://www.ciranopost.com/2022/07/28/e-noi-come-stronzi-rimanemmo-a-guardare-da-una-frase-di-camilleri-il-film-di-pif-sul-dominio-dellalgoritmo/) - An in-depth look at the film's social critique of algorithmic dominance

**Strategic Resources:**

- [IBM AI and Future of Work](https://www.ibm.com/think/insights/ai-and-the-future-of-work) - According to the World Economic Forum, 6 in 10 business executives expect AI to transform their organization
- [World Economic Forum AI Workplace Transformation](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/navigating-the-ai-revolution-managers-and-enterprises/) - How leaders must navigate the AI revolution in the workplace

**Don't just stand by and watch. Be the protagonist, not the spectator.**

_AI transformation is inevitable. Your evolution is a choice._